Suspect in Lake Co. weapons cache back in custody

One of two Antioch Township men arrested in a house full of guns, explosives and drugs was back in custody Friday night after being released on bail earlier in the day.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Stephen Scheller said John Thomas, 24, was arrested Friday afternoon as he walked out of a house in Pleasant Prairie, Wis. Thomas and his father, Burl Thomas, 56, were arrested Wednesday night after police armed with a search warrant went to their house in the 25000 block of Linden Lane.

Police said they found explosives, such as TNT and detonation cord, a live military AT4 rocket and launcher, two Tec-9 semiautomatic rifles and more than 20 other weapons.

In addition, they found more than two pounds of cocaine, nearly a pound of marijuana and some 500 pills they are still in the process of identifying.

Police said the contraband was all found in a bedroom occupied by Burl Thomas, and at first, there was nothing to link the younger man to any crime.

John Thomas was originally charged with misdemeanor resisting arrest for interfering with officers trying to search the house, Scheller said, and made no statements linking himself to the guns or the drugs.

Around 4:30 a.m. Friday, the younger Thomas posted $100 for bond and was released from the county jail, Scheller said.

More serious charges of possession of explosives and unlawful use of a weapon were filed against John Thomas later Friday morning, Scheller said, and the warrant for his arrest on those charges calls for him to be held on $1 million bond.

Burl Thomas is charged with possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver and armed violence.

He was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville shortly after his arrest when he began complaining of chest pains.

The elder Thomas is under 24-hour guard at the hospital, Scheller said, and it is unclear when he will be released.

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=318778&src=3">Cache of guns, drugs found in Antioch home; 2 men arrested <span class="date">[09/03/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>